My First Grow Ever (Advice More than Welcome)

[soccergal]

Ok...I'm starting this thing from the very beginning and going to go through the whole grow. Hopefully my plants will make it there. I've read the FAQ in depth, and while I'm sure there is much more to learn...I'm going to try to also learn by experience.

For right now, I have 4 seeds germinating. It's just bag seed, but came from some Skywalker I got a while back from Hightimestoner. I'm not sure they'll sprout, but hey, might as well give it a try.

Right now I have them germinating using the paper towel method.

I cut down some papertowel to the size of a ziploc bag. Wet two pieces wrung them out some and put them in my ziploc bag. Then I put the four seeds on top of those papertowels. I wet two more pieces and wrung them out, after which I placed those on top of the four seeds.

Now we play the waiting game.

soccergal Reviewed by soccergal on 08-21-2006. My First Grow Ever (Advice More than Welcome) Ok...I'm starting this thing from the very beginning and going to go through the whole grow. Hopefully my plants will make it there. I've read the FAQ in depth, and while I'm sure there is much more to learn...I'm going to try to also learn by experience. For right now, I have 4 seeds germinating. It's just bag seed, but came from some Skywalker I got a while back from Hightimestoner. I'm not sure they'll sprout, but hey, might as well give it a try. Right now I have them germinating Rating: 5

[stinkyattic]

Is this going to be a grow log? Welcome to growing!

[soccergal]

Is this going to be a grow log? Welcome to growing!

Yep, it sure is.

And a little update, I went to the store today to get some more supplies. I'm going to be vegging with CFLs and will most likely ad an HPS for flowering. To start off with I will be using 2 CFL cool whites at 150W. I will of course increase this number as my plant grows to at least 4 CFL's. I will post some pics of my setup soon. It's still a work in progress as my seeds are still germinating.

I'm considering adding a warm spectrum CFL into the mix. What do you think?

Also, I have made no final decision on nutes yet. I know a have a little time to decide. Any input would be appreciate. I've read the FAQ's so I have an idea of what most people seem to be using...but again, any input is welcome.

[stinkyattic]

I'm considering adding a warm spectrum CFL into the mix. What do you think?.

Not necessary, or even advisable- Some studies have found that warm spectrum increases chances of male sex expression.

Also, I have made no final decision on nutes yet. I know a have a little time to decide. Any input would be appreciate. I've read the FAQ's so I have an idea of what most people seem to be using...but again, any input is welcome.

Go organic, or heavy into organic components. You will have yummier buds in the end. The building blocks should start with something like the FoxFarms line, or one of the others that's available, plus supplements in you soil. For example, mycoStim (beneficial fungi), fish emulsion, bat guano, bone meal, composted organics like manure (chicken is fantastic) or seaweed (also very good results!!!), etc. Then you can add stuff like kelp tea, molasses, a carb-building supplement, superthrive and a silicon supplement as needed. Just be patient and don't fertilize for the first 3 nodes of growth!

[soccergal]

For example, mycoStim (beneficial fungi), fish emulsion, bat guano, bone meal, composted organics like manure (chicken is fantastic) or seaweed (also very good results!!!), etc.

I can definitly see the advantages in using organic fertilizers, but do you find that they smell more? If so, it may not be practical for my indoor grow. What do you think? I'm definitly going to get some superthrive.

Just be patient and don't fertilize for the first 3 nodes of growth!

Patience is definitly something I have. Thanks so much for responding to my thread!

[soccergal]

So, I started this thread about 10 days ago...and I admit...I scrapped my last attempt at germination. I think I kept the temperature toooooo hot. This time around I did it by soaking the seeds in water. Today I decided to gently push aside the dirt to see how one of my seeds were doing. This way I'd know if the seeds were duds, or if it had been user error...and much to my excitement....there was a corkscrew shaped root tip digging it's way into the dirt, and the shell was comepletely split on one side. So... that bodes well for my other seeds as well. I'll post pics when they break the surface. I'm thinking it should be in the next few days. Wish me luck guys!!!!

[soccergal]

Well I scrapped my first attempt to germinate the seeds. I think I kept the too warm and moist. I say this because I planted when I saw the white tip...but after over a week...I dug them up only to find that they hadn't progressed at all, and one of the white tips had turned a dark color.

That said...I have retried, and things seem to be going much better. After talking to Mordok and Psycho4bud, I decided to try soaking my seeds in water with a little hydrogen peroxide for 48hrs. Then I put them in some Scotts Potting Soil for Seed Starting. These are the specs.

• Fast-rooting formula of water-absorbing sphagnum peat moss and perlite, specifically designed to germinate and grow seeds
• Also ideal for establishing root and stem cuttings
• Phosphorous added for strong root development
• Backed by Scotts No-Quibble Guarantee of complete satisfaction

I also added a little hydrogen peroxide when I watered them so that when they popped they would be greeted by oxygen. I waited a few days and watered again as the soil was getting dry. Today...I couldn't wait any longer to see if things were going successfully. So I carefully moved aside the dirt to see one of the seeds...and low and behold...there was a corkscrew shaped root going on...and the seed was halfway split.

That said...I think there is only a few more days before I'm seeing some baby's popping up!!! Wish me luck guys!!!! I can't wait to get this show on the road!

[soccergal]

IF a mod could delete this thread I'd appreciate it...I moved it to Indoor growing...and I keep getting confused about which one to post in. Thanks!